Tag: David

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is unique, meaning to “send away.” When God forgives, He sends our sin away. As David wrote, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Ps. 103:12).

While the arsenal needed to get through this life includes listening to God (study) and speaking with God (prayer), the promise of His strength keeps us focused. This is how we learn contentment, as Paul identified, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).

When leaders learn to practice the difficult task of forgiveness, their ability to influence others increases.

Godly Counsel

In the Psalms, David expresses the need to wait for the counsel of the Lord, because His counsel will endure forever.

Solomon claims a wise man is one who listens to wise counsel. One of the best Proverbs about counsel is found in Proverbs 27:9 where we read, “A man’s counsel is sweet to his friend.”

When leaders provide godly counsel, several beautiful things occur: 1) God is glorified, 2) His people are built up in the faith, 3) Leadership is strengthened, and 4) The future is secured.

Let leaders learn to pursue and provide godly counsel.

Mission

A mission often relates to accomplishing specific tasks within a designated time frame: military tactics, political advancements, corporate positioning, and religious direction.

God’s mission was established before the foundation of the world (Ep. 1:4), promised to Abraham (Gen. 12:1-4), prophesied to David (2 Sam. 7:12), fulfilled in the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (Mt. – Jn.), and directed through the apostles (Mt. 28:19-20; Ep. 4:11-16).

Leaders play a significant role in the mission of God to lead His people to a better place.

If our mission today does not align with His mission, then we need to refocus our purpose.

Josiah

What was it about Josiah that made his leadership stand out?

Josiah did right in the sight of the Lord. Josiah brought powerful application to his leadership. Throughout his lifetime he did not turn from following God.

Josiah walked in the ways of his father David.
In contrast to the leaders of Israel, he followed David’s desire to be obedient to God, not turning to the right or left.

Josiah began to seek God. Josiah was active in learning and following God. When the book of the Law was found and read, his reaction was one of humility and inquiry.

A simple formula with life long application and amazing results.

David’s Leadership

We could spend weeks talking about David’s leadership, but I simply want to examine one area: his respect for God’s will.

Even though David could have taken Saul’s life, he respected God’s appointment of Saul as Israel’s king.

Even though David was paying for the consequences of his sin, he understood and respected God’s answer in loss of his son.

Even though David was prepared to build a temple that honored God, he respected God’s decision that Solomon would build it.

One of the reasons his leadership was great is because he respected God’s will.

Our Greatest Ally

Leadership is not about trying to make things happen on our own. The minute we go at it alone, we are destined to fail.

When David faced Goliath he knew the One who was there to help him. Goliath came to the battle as a warrior armed with a javelin, sword and spear. However, David came with the living God of Israel on his side. Who do you think won?

Do we know our greatest Ally? When we come to the battle with the living God on our side, we cannot fail.

Paul reminds us of this truth (Rom. 8:31-39).

Morning Energy Boost

What gets you up and going in the mornings? Is it a 5 Hour Energy shot? Coffee? Exercise?

We all need a pick-me-up.

The challenge is learning what will provide it.

Start the day in prayer. Nothing helps the spirit more than talking to the Father. Speak from the heart. He is listening.

Follow up with listening. Amazingly, listening to what He has to say also provides a boost. David meditated on God’s word.

Help someone else. Few activities lift the spirit more than helping someone else. As we lift up others, our own spirit is lifted up.

Honest Leadership

Honesty is critical to leadership, but not all leaders are honest. At times, they tend to tell “half-truths.”

Biblically, we know the necessity of honesty as a Christian virtue. Therefore, the application of honesty in biblical leadership is a natural reflection of what is expected by God and others.

Honesty is characterized in the words of David, describing the the power of biblical leadership in the one who “walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart” (Ps. 15:2).

The emphasis of David provides a platform for leaders, describing both who they are and what they do.

Leading in the Present…

David wrote, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.”

What exactly does today provide for our leadership?

Time to reflect on yesterday and make necessary changes.
Time to focus on our priorities, realizing we may only have today.
Time to prepare for potential challenges ahead.
Time to walk through God-given doors of opportunity.
Time to share the depth of our love with others.

Today is the day. Do not wait any longer. Be wise with the precious time God has placed before us.

A Righteous Leader…

Righteousness is a biblical word that speaks to our relationship with God and others.

David addressed the character of one who understands both relationships when he said, “He works righteousness” (Ps. 15:2).

We must hunger and thirst for righteousness (Mt. 5:6), our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees (Mt. 5:20), and we must seek first His righteousness (Mt. 6:33).

The guide for life, food for our soul, ethical character, and our priorities are framed by Jesus.

God should trust and the world should know that our choices are righteous. Start by asking, “Is it right with God?”